HILLSDALE SCHOOLS SUMMER READING LIST
GRADES K-2, 2012
Compiled by Grace Oliff, librarian, Ann Blanche Smith School,
Erin Killeen, library media specialist, Meadowbrook School, and
Cindy Greenwald, children’s librarian, Hillsdale Public Library- (revised on a yearly basis)
Please remember that while reading levels (RL) have been provided as a general guide, often a child’s interest in a particular book will encourage them to take a challenge, while at other times he/she may wish to relax and read something for pure enjoyment. Please consider reading to your child- a good children’s book can be a pleasant experience for an adult as well, and taking the time to read to your child will let him/her know that you, too, value reading. Please note: although individual titles by particular authors are listed here, all of these authors are quite prolific and their other titles are recommended as well.
HAPPY READING!
Andrews, Julie- The Very Fairy Princess- IL K-3, RL 3.5
Despite her scabby knees and dirty fingernails, Geraldine knows that she is a princess inside and shows it through her behavior at home and in school.
Antle, Bhagavan- Suryia and Roscoe: The True Story of an Unlikely Friendship IL K-3, RL 1.7
Based on a true story, an orangutan living at a wildlife preserve in South Carolina forms an unlikely friendship with a lost dog who comes to live there.
Arnold, Tedd- Buzz Boy and Fly Guy (series)- IL K-3, RL 1.4
Buzz creates a comic book that features Buzz Boy and Fly Guy as the superheroes.
Best, Cari- Shrinking Violet- IL K-3, RL 3.6
Violet, who is very shy and hates for anyone to look at her in school, finally comes out of her shell when she is cast as Lady Space in a play about the solar system and saves the production from disaster.
Blake, Robert-Swift- IL K-3, RL 3.0
After his father is attacked by a bear, a young boy must trust the instincts of his dog Swift in order to save his dad and return home safely.
Brett, Jan- Daisy Comes Home- IL K-3, RL 3.7
Daisy, an unhappy hen in China, floats down the river in a basket and has an adventure.
Brett, Jan- The 3 Little Dassies- IL K-3, RL 2.9
A twist on the classic tale "The Three Little Pigs," featuring three dassies named Mimbi, Pimbi, and Timbi and a pesky eagle.
Brown, Marc- Arthur Turns Green- IL K-3, RL 3.0
When Arthur starts talking about his school project involving a Big Green Machine, D.W. imagines a scary contraption that will turn everyone green.
Brown, Jeff- Flat Stanley (series) - IL K-3, RL 2.2
After a bulletin board falls on Stanley while he is sleeping, he finds that being flat has its advantages.
Brown, Margaret Wise- Love Songs of the Little Bear- IL K-3, RL 2.1
Four poems that take a little bear through the seasons of the year.
Browne, Anthony- Little Beauty-IL K-3, RL 1.9
When a gorilla who knows sign language tells his keepers that he is lonely, they bring him a very special friend
Buehner, Caralyn- Fanny’s Dream- IL K-3, RL 2.8
Fanny Agnes is a sturdy farm girls who dreams of marrying a prince, but when her fairy godmother doesn’t show up, she decides on a local farmer instead.
Capucilli, Alyssa- Biscuit (series) - IL K-3, RL 1.5
A little yellow dog wants ever one more thing before he’ll go to sleep.
Carle, Eric- “Slowly, Slowly”, said the Sloth IL K-3, RL 3.6
Challenged by the other jungle animals for its seemingly lazy ways, a sloth living in a tree explains the many advantages of his slow and peaceful existence (other titles by this author)
Carlson, Nancy L.- Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! - IL K-3, RL 1.7
Even though Henry is looking forward to kindergarten, he is not sure about staying once he gets there.
Catrow, David- Max Spaniel-IL K-3
Readers will laugh out loud as they follow the fantastical thoughts of this wacky hound.
Chaconas, Dori- Cork and Fuzz- IL K-3, RL 1.9
A possum and a muskrat become friends despite their many differences.
Christelow, Eileen-Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed- IL K-3, RL 1.7 (series)
The Five Little Monkeys cannot resist reading, even after Mama tells them it is time for bed.
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann- Mr. Tanen’s Ties- IL K-3, RL 1.7
Mr. Tannen, the principal at Lynnhurst Elementary School, is well known for his colorful and unusual ties, but he and his students are saddened when his boss orders him to stop wearing them.
Corey, Shana- First Graders from Mars (series) - IL K-3, RL 1.7
As the school years begins on Mars, Horus the Martian gets off to a rocky start, but soon discovers that first grade is not really as bad as he thought.
Cox, Judy- Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie- IL K-3, RL 1.6
Mrs. Millie makes her students laugh when she mixes up words, saying "goats" instead of "coats" and "poodles" when she means "puddles."
Cronin, Doreen- Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type- IL K-3, RL 1.3
When Farmer Brown’s Cows find a typewriter in the barn, they start making demands, and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want.
DePaola, Tomie- Strega Nona Takes a Vacation- IL K-3, RL 2.4
Strega Nona sends homes gifts of candy and bubble bath while on vacation, but when Bambolona grabs the candy, Big Anthony is left with a lot of bubbles.
DiCamillo, Kate- Mercy Watson to the Rescue- (series) IL K-3, RL 1.5
After Mercy the pig snuggles to sleep with the Watsons, all three awaken with the bed teetering on the edge of a big hole in the floor.
Ehlert, Lois – Feathers for Lunch- IL K-3, RL 1.9- other titles by this author
An escaped housecat encounters twelve birds in the back yard but fails to catch any of them and has to ear feathers for lunch .
Ehlert, Lois- RRRalph- IL K-3, RL 1.4
The narrator describes discovering how Ralph the dog can talk, appropriately saying words such as "roof," "rough," "bark," and "wolf."
Emmett, Jonathan- The Princess and the Pig IL K-3, RL 3.1
There's been a terrible mix-up in the royal nursery. Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella, the farmer's new piglet. The kindly farmer and his wife believe it's the work of a good witch, while the ill-tempered King and Queen blame the bad witchafter all, this happens in fairy tales all the time! Priscilla grows up on the farm, poor yet very happy, but things don't work out quite as readily for a Pigmella. Kissing a frog has worked wonders before, but will it work for a pig? Sure to hog all the attention, this story's frequent nods to a variety of well-known fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Princess, and Thumbelina, and hilarious illustrations will delight readers of any age.
Fleming, Candace - Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! - IL K-3, RL 2.7
After planting the garden he has dreamed of for years, Mr. McGreely tries to find a way to keep some persistent bunnies from eating all his vegetables.
Foley, George- Willoughby and the Lion- IL K-3, RL 3.3
When Willoughby moves to a new house far away from his friends, he meets and enchanted lion who shows him what is truly important in life.
Foley, Greg- Purple Little Bird- IL K-3, RL 2.7
Purple Little Bird leaves his almost-perfect purple home in search of a better place, but although Brown Bear, Yellow Camel, and others live in very nice places, none is quite right for him.
Frazee Marla- A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever -IL K-3, RL 2.7
Friends James and Eamon enjoy a wonderful week at the home of Eamon's grandparents during summer vacation.
George, Kristine O’Connell – Little Dog Poems-IL K-3, RL 1.8
An illustrated collection of poems about a large dog and a small one told from the point of view of a little girl.
Gormley, Greg- Dog in Boots- IL K-3, RL 2.9
After reading "Puss in Boots," an adventurous dog sets out to find the perfect pair of shoes to suit his every need.
Guest, Elissa Haden – Iris and Walter: The Sleepover (series) - IL K-3, RL 3.2
Iris is excited about her first sleepover at her friend Walter’s house, and plans a lot of activities, but when night finally arrives, her feelings change.
Gutman, Dan- The Dayy Ron Riegels Ran the Wrong Way- IL K-3, Rl 2.4
A boy's grandfather tells him about the famous Rose Bowl game in 1929 when the University of California Golden Bears lost after one of their players ran the wrong way down the football field.
Henkes, Kevin- Kitten’s First Full Moon- other titles by this author IL K-3, RL 3.6
When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet and hungry trying to reach it.
Here Comes Mother Goose. Illus by Rosemary Wells IL K-3, RL 3.0
Presents more than sixty tradition nursery rhymes, including “Old Mother Hubbard,” I’m a little Teapot” and “One, two, buckle, my shoe” accompanied by illustrations of various animals.
Hesse, Karen- Come on, Rain! - IL K-3, RL 3.9
A young girl eagerly awaits a coming rainstorm to bring relief from the oppressive summer heat.
Hillert, Margaret- Dear Dragon (series) IL K-3, RL 1.1
A boy's pet dragon visits him at school and joins in the classroom activities.
Hoff, Syd- Danny and the Dinosaur- IL K-3, RL 2.7
A little boy is surprised and pleased when one of the dinosaurs from the museum agrees to play with him.
Howe, James- Horace and Morris Join the Chorus (but what about Dolores?)- IL K-2,
RL 2.9
Dolores is upset when her friends choose to sing in the chorus, but she finds a way to become part of the performance.
Howe, James- Pinky and Rex (series) IL K-3, RL 2.6
Rex and her best friend Pinky, each the proud possessor of twenty-seven stuffed animals or dinosaurs, find their visit to the museum and its gift shop complicated by Pinky's little sister Amanda.
Howitt, Mary Botham- The Spider and the Fly- IL K-3, RL 5.2
An illustrated version of the well- known poem about a wily spider who preys on the vanity and innocence of a little fly.
Huneck, Stephen- Sally goes to the Mountains- IL , K-3, RL 1.5
Sally, a black Labrador retriever, is on her way to go camping in the mountains.
Jenkins, Steve- Actual Size- IL K-3, RL 4.6
Discusses and gives examples of the size and weight of various animals and parts of animals.
Kimmel, Eric- Three Little Tamales- IL K-3, RL 1.7
In this variation of "The Three Little Pigs" set in the Southwest, three little tamales escape from a restaurant before they can be eaten, and set up homes in the prairie, cornfield, and desert.
Kimmelman, Leslie- The Three Bully Goats- IL K-3, RL 2.9
Billy goat brothers Gruff, Ruff, and Tuff are bullies who rule their meadow, but when they cross Little Ogre's bridge and are mean to the baby animals on the other side, they are in for a surprise.
Knudsen, Michelle- The Library Lion- IL K-3, RL 2.7
A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble.
a fast flies restaurant to celebrate their anniversary.
Johnston, Tony- Alien and Possum Hanging Out- IL K-3, RL 3.5
Two good friends, Possum and Alien spend time together celebrating their birthdays, discovering their uniqueness, and hanging out together in a tree.
Juster, Norton – The Hello-Goodbye Window- IL K-3, RL 3.9
A little girl tells about the special kitchen window at her beloved Nanny and Poppy’s house from which a person can see anyone or anything coming and going.
Kann, Elizabeth- Pinkalicious (series) - IL K-3, RL 2.4
After eating too many pink cupcakes, Pinkalicious turns pink and enjoys everything about her favorite color.
Kellogg, Steven- Paul Bunyan, A Tall Tale- IL K-3, RL 3.8
Recounts the life of the extraordinary lumberjack whose unusual size and strength brought him many fantastic adventures.
Kimmel, Eric- The Three Little Tamales- IL K-3, RL 1.7
In this variation of "The Three Little Pigs" set in the Southwest, three little tamales escape from a restaurant before they can be eaten, and set up homes in the prairie,
cornfield, and desert.
Kneen, Maggie – Chocolate Moose- IL K-3, RL 2.4
When a chocolate-loving moose goes to work in Mrs. Mouse's bakery he does not fit in very well, but Mrs. Mouse discovers that he has other useful talents.
Krensky, Stephen- Lionel at School (series) - IL K-3, RL 2.7
Lionel’s many school related adventures include a nervous back to school night with his parents, a sister who doesn’t seem to recognize him, and an experiment with time.
Leedy Loreen- Follow the Money! - IL K-3, RL 2.7
A quarter describes all the ways it is used from the time it is minted until it is taken back to a bank.
Lewis, J. Patrick- Tugg and Teeny (series) Il K-s, RL 2.2
Meet Tugg and Teeny. Best friends since... well, forever! Tugg, a gorilla, and Teeny, a monkey, live together in their jungle neighborhood, Sidekick Thicket. As opposite as night and day, the two friends work and play together, each helping the other face life's challenges.
Lewis, Rose A. - I Love You Like Crazy Cakes- IL K-3, RL 2.1
A woman describes how she went to China to adopt a special baby girl. Based on the author’s own experiences.
Lies, Brian- Bats at the Library- IL K-3, RL 3.1
Bored with another normal, inky evening, bats discover an open library window and fly into to enjoy the photocopier, water fountain, and especially the books and stories found there.
Lillegard, Dee- Wake Up, House! - IL K-3, RL 2.0
34 poems which personify household objects, from the bedroom window that greets the sun’s morning rays to the night light that watches over sleeping dreamers.
London, Jonathan- “Froggy “ books RL K-3, IL 4.3
“Froggy Eats Out- After Foggy misbehaves at a fancy restaurant, his parents take him to
Martin, Bill- Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? - IL K-3, RL 1.6
Illustrations and rhyming text portray a young bear searching for its mother and meeting many North American animals along the way.
Martin, Bill- Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You see?- IL K-3, RL 3.6
Illustrations and rhyming text present ten different endangered animals.
McClear, Kyo- Spork - Il K-3, RL 3.2
Spork, a misfit in the cutlery drawer, finds his combination of spoon and fork is just right for a very messy creature that has arrived in the kitchen.
McCloskey, Robert- Make Way for Ducklings- IL K-3, RL 3.1
Originally published in August of 1941, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard proudly return to their home in the Boston Public Gardens with their 8 offspring.
McMullan, Kate- I Stink! - IL K-3, RL. 3.3
A big city garbage truck makes its rounds, consuming everything from apple cores and banana peels to leftover ziti and zucchini.
Meister, Cari- Tiny Goes to the Library- IL K-3, RL 1.0
Tiny the dog is a big help at the library when his owner takes out too many books to carry home.
Mills, Claudia- Gus and Grandpa Show and Tell- IL K-3, RL 2.2
Gus despairs of coming up with something interesting and impressive for his second grade class show and tell until he gets a great idea while visiting Grandpa.
Mortenson, Greg- Listen to the Wind- IL K-3, RL 4.3
A children's book that tells the story of Dr. Greg Mortenson's promise to build a school in a remote Himalayan village after the villagers saved his life.
Munsch, Robert- Stephanie’s Ponytail- IL K-3, RL 3.2
When all the kids in Stephanie’s class keep copying her hairstyles by making ponytails of their own, she threatens to shave her hair off.
Nevius, Carol- Baseball Hour- IL K-3, RL 2.2
Describes a typical baseball practice in which the athletes demonstrate teamwork
Nevius, Carol- Karate Hour -IL K-3, RL 3.9
Rhyming text portrays the exuberance of an hour karate class. Includes nonfiction information at the end.
Nevius, Carol- Soccer Hour- IL K-3, RL 1.9
Pictures and rhyming text describe the drills and scrimmages of a team at soccer practice
Numeroff, Laura Joffe- If You Take a Mouse to School- IL K-3, RL 2.7
Describes the mountain of mischief a mouse could get into – in science class, reading class, and playtime, if he came along to school.
Numeroff, Laura- Ponyella IL K-3, RL 2.4
Ponyella's dream of showing Princess Penelope her tricks at the pony championship comes true with the help of her fairy godmare.
O’Connor , Jane- Fancy Nancy- IL K-3, RL 2.3
A young girl who loves fancy things helps her family to be fancy for one special night.
Osborne, Mary Pope- Magic Treehouse series- IL 2-4, RL 3.3
Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic tree house, which whisks them through various periods in history.
Pinkney, Jerry- The Lion and the Mouse- IL K-3
In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.
Polacco, Patricia- John Philip Duck- IL K-3, RL 3.8
During the Depression, a young Memphis boy trains his pet duck to do tricks in the fountain of a grand hotel and ends up becoming the Duck Master of the Peabody Hotel.